IMDb RATING
6.9/10
1.6K
YOUR RATING
An American businessman in Scotland is conned into shipping a valuable load of cargo to a Scottish island via a coal powered boat.An American businessman in Scotland is conned into shipping a valuable load of cargo to a Scottish island via a coal powered boat.An American businessman in Scotland is conned into shipping a valuable load of cargo to a Scottish island via a coal powered boat.
- Nominated for 3 BAFTA Awards
- 3 nominations total
Duncan McIntyre
- Hailing Officer
- (as Duncan Macintyre)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaTommy Kearins, who plays Dougie, was selected for the role after being spotted in a Scouts "Gang Show", working backstage. After being interviewed by Ealing, he spent 3 months filming on Islay. He was paid 3 times what his father made in the Clyde shipyards.
- Quotes
Calvin B. Marshall, the American: [Looking at a picture of MacTaggart] Is that MacTaggart? Well. he's a crafty-looking buzzard, all right! No wonder he was able to put one over on Pusey.
Campbell: If I may say so, Mr. Marshall, I don't think a man need be very quick to leave Mr. Pusey behind.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Best of British: Ealing Comedies (1993)
Featured review
An American businessman hires a boat to take some cargo to a remote part of Scotland.
I enjoyed this Ealing comedy for its simple story, beautiful cinematography and culture clash moments.
The plot is fairly entertaining as we see a fish out of water situation of the American businessman in remote Scotland and also a David v Goliath story of the small-time puffer boat Captain take on the authorities. It is all quite character driven with the focus heavily on the arc of Calvin B Marshall and for contrast on Captain MacTaggart. Marshall is wealthy and powerful symbol of American individualism, whereas MacTaggart is struggling financially but part of a tight knit community that survives in the coastal areas of Western Scotland.
There are many great scenes that capture the era and locations. I loved the 100th birthday party plus all the coastal landscapes. The cinematography is beautiful and the editing keeps everything interesting for the duration.
All performances are solid such as Alex MacKenzie and Paul Douglas as the above mentioned characters. I particularly enjoyed Tommy Kearins who is excellent as Dougie, the 'wee boy', who seems to confidently portray a youngster with wisdom beyond his years.
The Maggie is worth watching as a follow up to Whiskey Galore as it contains a similar sentiment but has more focus on specific characters.
For me it is a 7.5/10 but I round upwards.
I enjoyed this Ealing comedy for its simple story, beautiful cinematography and culture clash moments.
The plot is fairly entertaining as we see a fish out of water situation of the American businessman in remote Scotland and also a David v Goliath story of the small-time puffer boat Captain take on the authorities. It is all quite character driven with the focus heavily on the arc of Calvin B Marshall and for contrast on Captain MacTaggart. Marshall is wealthy and powerful symbol of American individualism, whereas MacTaggart is struggling financially but part of a tight knit community that survives in the coastal areas of Western Scotland.
There are many great scenes that capture the era and locations. I loved the 100th birthday party plus all the coastal landscapes. The cinematography is beautiful and the editing keeps everything interesting for the duration.
All performances are solid such as Alex MacKenzie and Paul Douglas as the above mentioned characters. I particularly enjoyed Tommy Kearins who is excellent as Dougie, the 'wee boy', who seems to confidently portray a youngster with wisdom beyond his years.
The Maggie is worth watching as a follow up to Whiskey Galore as it contains a similar sentiment but has more focus on specific characters.
For me it is a 7.5/10 but I round upwards.
- snoozejonc
- Jan 3, 2021
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Details
- Runtime1 hour 32 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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